Paint clean-up container

ABSTRACT

An improved paint clean-up container comprising two nested vessels with a grate disposed in the inner vessel. The outer vessel comprises a bucket with a bottom and sloped sides, with a raised circular portion comprising a circular rib to accommodate and guide the inner vessel into position. The inner vessel also comprises a bucket with a bottom and sloped sides; however the inner vessel also comprises a shelf disposed below the rim for holding the grate. The raised circular portion of the outer vessel holds the inner vessel in a central position, while the shelf of the inner vessel prevents the grate from changing position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

None

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is an improved paint clean-up container, comprising two nested vessels with a grate disposed near the top of the inner vessel. Paint clean-up containers are known in the art.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,739 to Ristroph discloses a waste-liquid transfer device including a receiver assembly with the capacity for temporarily holding waste liquid. The vertical side wall defines a cylinder concentric with a standard fifty-five gallon drum having a top with an opening in it. The receiver assembly fits snugly over the top of the drum, and a drain tube extending downward from the bottom wall fits into the opening in the top of the drum.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,280 to Gresch discloses a multipurpose container with a bucket supported above the floor by a skirt. The skirt extends from the upper edge of the bucket down and out, so the skirt provides a good base for the bucket, with the bucket suspended centrally of the skirt. Slots are provided in the skirt as hand holds, and a bail is optionally received on the bucket to provide dual lifting handles. The lower edge of the skirt may receive casters, either directly, or on a platform that is fixed to the skirt. A drain in the bottom of the bucket can receive a drain hose, knockouts being provided to open the bucket, and to allow the drain hose to pass through the skirt.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,027 to Glunt discloses an apparatus for cleaning paint rollers through plural sprays which turn and clean supported rollers comprising a container in a cylindrical configuration extending vertically from the bottom wall to the top. The container also includes a lid that can be positioned over the top. The bottom wall is of a conical configuration to allow the flow of fluid from the container. The container also includes legs to support the container. A support mechanism vertically positioned in the center of the container is adapted to receive the interior surface of a paint roller.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,547 to Carlson discloses a device employed with a sewer inlet structure including a conduit leading to a sewer line to dispose of clean-up liquid including water and latex paint. The device includes a container that can be engaged with and supported by the sewer inlet structure and a drain pipe leading from the container to the interior of the conduit. Engagement between the drain pipe and inner surface of the conduit will limit both sideways displacement and tipping of the container.

SUMMARY

The present invention is an improved paint clean-up container comprising two nested vessels, with a grate disposed in the inner vessel. Painting tools are cleaned over the inner vessel with water, and the resulting waste water is contained for proper disposal.

The outer vessel comprises a bucket with a bottom and sloped sides, with a raised circular portion comprising a circular rib to accommodate and guide the inner vessel into position. The inner vessel also comprises a bucket with a bottom and sloped sides; however the inner vessel also comprises a shelf disposed below the rim for holding the grate. The raised circular portion of the outer vessel holds the inner vessel in a central position, while the shelf of the inner vessel prevents the grate from changing position. The outer vessel may comprise molded fork pockets or other means of allowing the container to be picked up with a fork lift.

Painting equipment is cleaned over the grate, and waste water is collected in the inner vessel. The shelf, disposed at least five inches from the lip of the inner vessel permits the upper wall of the inner vessel act as a splash guard during cleaning activities. In the event waste water splashes beyond the inner vessel, the outer vessel serves as a secondary container to catch fluid and prevent it from reaching the ground. When the inner vessel or outer vessel nears capacity, the grate can be removed and waste water pumped out. In the alternate, the vessels may be moved via a drum truck.

The grate is comprised of poly ethyl plastic to prevent paint from sticking to the members of the grate. Additionally, the openings in the grate are large enough to prevent thickened waste water from clogging the openings. In other preferred embodiments, the grate may comprise a two-inch bung to allow vacuum hose access to the waste water, and in another preferred embodiment, the grate may comprise a solid shelf running around the periphery of the grate, and may also comprise handles for easy removal of the grate from the inner vessel.

A lid fits over the inner vessel, and makes a tight fitting seal to prevent fumes from escaping. The lid is also is comprised of a material with sufficient rigidity to prevent debris from entering the container by caving in the lid. The lid is attached to the inner vessel using a plastic coated wire cable.

It is anticipated that the inner vessel will come in various sizes to be appropriate for a variety of uses; including a five gallon size; a 55 gallon size; and a 200 gallon size. The larger containers may be moved by a drum truck or by engaging a forklift to flat bars attached to at the bottom for lifting by a forklift. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner vessel may comprise a hose spray nozzle or spray apparatus mounted to the rim. The spray apparatus, when connected to pressurized water source, provides immediate access to cleaning water.

FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the paint clean-up container of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the paint clean-up container of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the paint clean-up container of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the paint clean-up container of the present invention, wherein a grate comprises a perimeter shelf and handles.

DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the container 10 comprises an outer vessel or bucket 12, having a bottom and sloped sides, an inner vessel or bucket 14 also having a bottom and sloped sides, and a grate 16 disposed near the top of the inner vessel 14. The bottom of the outer vessel 12 further comprises a raised portion 18 that engages the bottom of the inner vessel 14, holding it in a central position relative to the outer vessel 12. The inner vessel 14 further comprises a shelf 20 that holds the grate 16 in place, preventing it from changing orientation relative to the inner vessel 14.

Painting equipment is cleaned over the grate and the waste water is collected in the inner vessel. In one preferred embodiment, the shelf 20 is disposed at least five inches from the lip of the inner vessel 14 permitting the wall of the inner vessel 14 above the grate 20 to act as a splash guard during cleaning activities. In the event waste water splashes beyond the inner vessel 14, the outer vessel 12 serves as a secondary containment means to catch the fluid and prevent it from reaching the ground. In a further preferred embodiment, the raised portion 18 of the outer vessel 12 comprises a ¾ inch high circular rib. When the inner vessel 14 or outer vessel 12 near capacity, the grate can be removed, and waste water may be vacuum pumped from either vessel. In the alternate, the inner vessel may be moved via a drum truck affixed with a 2 inch strap, or a fork lift by using fork pockets molded into the container.

Referring to FIG. 3, the grate 16 is comprised of a poly ethyl plastic that prevents dissolved paint from sticking to the members of the grate 16. Additionally, the squares or other shaped openings in the grate are of a size sufficient to prevent thickened waste water from clogging the openings. In a further preferred embodiment, the grate may comprise a bung, including a two inch bung to allow vacuum hose access to the fluid in a near full vessel. Referring to FIG. 4, in another preferred embodiment, the grate may comprise a solid shelf running around the periphery of the grate, and may also comprise handles for easy removal of the grate from the inner vessel.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the container also comprises a lid 22 attached to the inner vessel 14. The lid 22 comprises a tight fitting member that can seal the inner vessel 14, thereby preventing the escape of fumes, should the vessel be operated for a prolonged time period prior to emptying. The lid 22 is attached to the inner vessel 14 using a cable 24. In one preferred embodiment, the cable is a plastic coated wire cable, which is connected to two-hole D-rings pop riveted to the container with steel rivets. The lid 22 snaps on to the rim of the inner vessel 14 using a pressure fitting, which prevents the lid from blowing off in windy conditions, and is comprised of a material with sufficient rigidity to prevent debris from entering the container by caving in the lid.

It is anticipated that the inner vessel will come in various sizes to be appropriate for a variety of uses. Specific contemplated embodiments include a five gallon size with an 11 inch diameter grate for individual or home use; a 55 gallon size with a 21 inch diameter grate for use in construction; and a 200 gallon size with a larger grate for larger uses. For the larger containers the secondary container can be moved by a drum truck fitted with a 2 inch strap. In another embodiment, for larger containers, the outer vessel further comprises flat bars at the bottom for lifting by a forklift

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner vessel may comprise a hose spray nozzle or spray apparatus mounted to the rim. In this embodiment, the spray apparatus may be connected to pressurized water source to provide immediate access to water, increasing the efficiency of the container for cleaning a large number of painting tools.

All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation. 

1. An improved paint clean-up container comprising; a. a first vessel comprising a bucket having a container interior and a container bottom, wherein the container bottom further comprises a raised guide for locating a second vessel in the center of the container bottom; b. a second vessel comprising a bucket having a container interior and a container bottom, wherein the container bottom fits against the raised guide of the first vessel and a shelf disposed along the wall of the vessel; c. a grate comprising poly ethyl plastic that rests on the shelf of the second vessel, so that any material entering the second vessel must pass through the grate; and d. a lid that attaches to the top of the second vessel to contain fumes therein.
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the secondary vessel holds 5, 55 or 200 gallons of fluid.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein a vacuum pump is used to vacuum out fluid when the container nears capacity
 4. The container of claim 3, wherein the grate further comprises a bung for inserting a vacuum tube.
 5. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid snaps onto the second vessel by means of a pressure fitting.
 6. The container of claim 5, wherein the pressure fitting is sufficiently strong to prevent the lit from blowing off the secondary vessel in windy conditions.
 7. The container of claim 5, wherein the lid comprises material sufficiently strong to prevent entry of debris into the secondary container.
 8. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid is attached to the secondary vessel via a cable.
 9. The container of claim 8, wherein the cable comprises a plastic coated wire
 10. The container of claim 9, wherein the plastic coated wire is held in place by “D” rings pop-riveted to the secondary container and lid by steel rivets.
 11. The container of claim 1, wherein the shelf is 5 inches lower than the rim of the secondary container to create a splash guard
 12. The container of claim 1, wherein the poly ethyl grate is manufactured with holes large enough to prevent paint from clogging in the holes.
 13. The container of claim 2, wherein the grate for the 5 gallon secondary vessel is 11 inches in diameter, the grate for the 55 gallon secondary vessel is 21 inches in diameter.
 14. The container of claim 1, wherein the grate comprises a flat shelf area around its perimeter.
 15. The container of claim 1, wherein the grate comprises handles for easy removal.
 16. The container of claim 1, wherein the raised guide on the primary vessel comprises a ¾ inch circular rib.
 17. The container of claim 1, wherein the secondary container can be moved by a drum truck fitted with a 2 inch strap.
 18. The container of claim 1, wherein the primary container further comprises flat bars or molded pockets at the bottom for lifting by a forklift
 19. The container of claim 1, wherein a hose spray nozzle is mounted to the rim of the secondary vessel.
 20. An improved paint clean-up container comprising; a. a first vessel comprising a bucket having a container interior and a container bottom, wherein the container bottom further comprises a raised guide for locating a second vessel in the center of the container bottom and flat bars or molded pockets for engaging a forklift under the container; b. a second vessel comprising a bucket having a container interior and a container bottom, wherein the container bottom fits against the raised guide of the first vessel and a shelf disposed along the wall of the vessel; c. a grate comprising poly ethyl plastic that rests on the shelf of the second vessel, so that any material entering the second vessel must pass through the grate; and d. a lid attached to the top of the second vessel via a cable to contain fumes therein. 